UNEDITED
Calla Henrik's family runs the best ATV business in town, and she's ready to take over the family business for the summer while her parents go on a much-needed vacation. She's ready to earn some money before she attends the University of A...
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Calla
"Calla," he says, "where are you taking me? Are we at the campsite?"
I adjust the positioning of the blindfold, making sure he can't see anything. He's on the right track thanks to the bumpy drive. We are at the campsite. Just not the one he's thinking of. Now that I've graduated, construction has begun on Ryder Trailhead, joining the Aspen Trailhead and Burke Trailhead. During my first year of university, Dad and I struck a deal about developing a new campground and joining it to the current system with a new trail. It was like an obstacle course last time Maddox and I rode it, but I convinced Dad. The original trail Maddox found has been smoothed over, but we've kept some of the unique features.
The deal was construction would start as soon as I graduated. Business has increased within the past four years. We never have free campsites on long weekends or holidays. Space is in demand, and we've now remedied that.
As soon as exams ended, I returned to the Okanagan and temporarily moved in with my parents. It was painful to stay away from Maddox for two weeks. But it needed to be done. After the business has been handed down to me, Maddox will own half of it. I may sound overconfident, but I'm expecting a proposal within the next year. It's inevitable now that we're moving in together. It's been four years, too!
Which is why he needed a campsite named after him. As I suggested all those years ago. After I remove his blindfold, we're going to hop on our bikes and he's going to install the sign for the connective trail.
Okay... he didn't need the campsite named after him because we're going to get married in the future. He needs one because of the contribution he put towards my sessions program, which is still running strong. If we ever find another space to expand to, it'll be named after Vance.
"You'll know soon enough," I reply, unable to hide the giddiness in my voice.
His grip tightens around my wrists as he takes another step forward. The ground is uneven, so he's having some trust issues. Although I would never let him fall flat on his face, I can understand his predicament. Blindfolds and uneven terrain don't mix well. Nor do mud and dress shoes. It's a good thing we stopped at home before driving up here or else he'd be screwed. "Calla, I don't like this. I'm going to fall."
"Ye of so little faith," I laugh, guiding him around a fallen tree.
Within the past two weeks, more work has been done to the area around Duo Via Lake. Ten different spots have been cleared out so far. Six of them are fit for a single family trailer, while the other four are large enough for two, even three trailers. But that's not what I'm showing Maddox. He can scout out the campsites on his own time, or I can take him on a tour later.
What I'm showing him is the small cabin that's been constructed. It's in the exact spot where we would park our dirt bikes while I was teaching him how to swim. There's an impeccable view of snow-capped Terrace Mountain and Duo Via Lake and the trees surrounding it. The water is a deep blue and still as glass, providing a stellar reflection of the sky and mountain. It's a perfect backdrop for our cabin.
